Types of Ghosts

For many people new to the realm of paranormal, it comes to them as a surprise that there are different kinds of ghosts, each classified by the types of hauntings, how they appear, what they are, how they haunt, and so on.

Animal Ghosts

Animal ghosts are any type of ghosts that are animals (excluding humans). Most times, they are pets, wild dogs, or horses, though they are not limited to those three. Since they could not communicate with humans during their time alive, they cannot communicate with humans when they are dead.

Apparitions

Apparitions are visual representations of a ghost or spirit. There are many different types of apparitions, but the most widely known one is the transparent one. Unlike other ghost forms, they look as real as a living person, and some have even been known to have conversations and interactions with the living, but then disappear. Many people who have witnessed an apparition say that certain odors can be smelled before, during, and after a sighting. Apparitions also include animals, cars, ships, carriages, buildings, and trains, or anything that appears before us and eventually vanishes. Collective apparitions are apparitions that are sighted by multiple witnesses at the same time.

Atmospheric

Atmospheric ghosts are only seen in one specific location, and they repeat a certain action over and over. Theories say that they are projected images from the psychic energy stored in the area. These types of ghosts are also known as replaying, haunting, or residual ghosts.

Banshee

Banshees, which have been part of Irish lore for hundreds of years, are spirits of women whose voices bear messages to warn of death. Her screams are heard by everyone except the person who is going to die.

Demon

Family

Family ghosts are connected by the ties of relation. While not actually dead in all cases, they are believed to appear to warn the living of death or disaster. Most often appearing in visions, a man’s sister could appear to him in a dream warning that their cousin has died of cancer, for example, even despite the sister is still alive. It is believed to be some kind of psychic energy. In other cases, it could be the uncle of a woman letting her know he has died in a car accident.

Haunted Objects

Historical

Similar to atmospheric ghosts, historical ghosts have been seen replaying historic events, though they may be seen in multiple locations. They, too, are non-interactive, and fall under the category of location based. In general, they appear to be solid and wearing period clothing. Battlefield ghosts are also considered historical ghosts.

Phantom

Phantom Hitchhiker

Phantom hitchhikers are the base of many urban legends and pop culture, including episodes of The Twilight Zone. In most cases, they appear on the anniversary of their death. They interact with the living by asking for a ride, but they disappear before they arrive at their destination.

Phantom Travelers

These ghosts are normally found along a particular stretch of road. They appear near the place of a deadly accident. Phantom travelers have been found riding in or waiting to board a train, plane, boat, car, or horse, depending on how they died. In most cases, they appear on the anniversary of their death.

Photographic

Photographic ghosts can be any kind of ghost, but they are normally not seen with the naked eye and are only seen in the photos taken. Some appear as orbs, vortexes, ectoplasmic mist, or other unusual light/optical abnormalities.

Recurring/Replay Ghost

Transportation

While not a living thing, transportation ghosts are ghosts of a vehicle of transportation (train, car, plane, etc.) that no longer exist. They are often associated with a tragic event, often a crash, that the transportation met its end. Sometimes, phantom passengers have been seen on these transportation ghosts, depending on the deaths.